LOUISVILLE — D. Eugene Sibery, a Presbyterian elder and health care executive who served as vice-moderator of the 1997 General Assembly and for six years as chair of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Board of Pensions, died Nov. 29 in Cape Coral, FL. Sibery, 78, had been in declining health for a number of years.
Born Sept. 29, 1929 in Muncie, IN, Sibery was named one of the most influential health care thinkers of the 20th century and was an architect of Medicare. He strongly believed that every citizen should have good health care, especially the elderly and the poor, and worked to achieve that.
Sibery began his health care career as a hospital administrator in Michigan. He later taught at the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, the Ohio State University and Northwestern University.
Moving to the health insurance field Sibery served as top executive for Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 20 years in Michigan, New York and Iowa. He also served as executive vice-president of the National Blue Cross Association from 1969-1977.
Despite his sterling professional achievements, Gene Sibery’s great passion was the church. Always active in the PC(USA) wherever he lived, Sibery was tapped by Moderator Patricia Brown to be General Assembly vice-moderator in 1997. From 1990 to 1997 he served on the denomination’s Board of Pensions, the last six years as chair.
He was a passionate, forthright advocate for improved health care benefits for the servants of the church.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Verla; a daughter, Linda Sibery Crawford; two sons — Donald C. Sibery and Douglas E. Sibery; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Gene Sibery was held Dec. 3 at Faith Presbyterian Church in Cape Coral.
